Indexing valve



E. E. BERRY INDEXING VALVE Jan. 19, 1954 Filed March 21 1950 Il Il; (f

Patented Jan. 19, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT FFICE INDEXING VALVE Earl E. Berry, Dayton, Ohio Application March 21, 1950, Serial No. 150,890

7 Claims. (Cl. 137-633) This invention relates to sequentially operated valves, and more particularly to an indexing type of valve usable for example in connecting a household water supply sysuem to each of a series of lawn sprinklers in turn.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of indexing valves as disclosed herein, whereby such valves may not only be economically manufactured, but will be more eicient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of uses, having relatively few parts and be unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to make the indexing function of the deviceautomatic and responsive to the opening and closing of a valve communicating the device with the source of the pressure iiuid to be distributed.

Another object of the invention is to utilize the pressure of the fluid being distributed to accomplish indexing movements of the valve.

A further object of the invention is'to accomplish one full indexing step of the device in component parts respectively related to the opening and closing of the communicating control valve. Y

Still another object of the invention is to make a novel use of complementary cam mechanisms for effecting the aforesaid indexing step components.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device of the class described capable of ready installation in existing :duid distribution systems.

A further object oi the invention is to provide a valve possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the mode of operation herein mentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specication, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, as hereinafter described or illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, or their equivalents. v

In carrying out the foregoing objects, there is contemplated a relatively simple valve in which thereis but a single moving part, the movement thereof being limited to a simultaneous combined reciprocatory and rotary motion of predetermined extent, such motion being induced by pulsations in flow pressure of the fluid supply to which the valve is attached.

vReferring to the accompanying drawing,

wherein is found the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a View in side elevation of a valve in ccordance with the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is a View, enlarged with respect to Fig. l, oi the device in longitudinal section;

Fig. 3 is a View in cross section, taken substantially along the line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the housing of the device removed;

Fig. 5 is a View in cross section along the line 5 5 of Fig. 1;

Flig. 6 is a detail view showing a check valve construction which may be incorporated in the device, the valve being shown in its open position; land Fig. 7 is a View like Fig. 6, showing the check valve closed.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, in its illustrated form, the indexing valve comprises a pair of plates lil and Il held in aligned spaced apart relationship by a circumferential series of tie rods I2. Within the area enclosed by the tie rods I2, and extending between the plates it and Il is a cylindrical housing i3, the ends of which are received in recesses in the adjoining faces of the plates.

The plate l0 presents a single axial opening I4 while the plate Il presents a circular series of longitudinal openings I5 in concentric relation to the opening I4. Having a press nt in the opening Hl, and extending within housing i3 toward plate H, is a cylinder I6 receiving at its lower or outer end a pipe il. The pipe il communicates with a source of fluid under pressure which is alternatively admitted and denied access to the cylinder iii by opening and closing a valve i8. The openings i5, 1n plate il, receive through the outer face of the plate connectors I9 t0 which hose or pipe lines may be attached.

to conduct pressure fluid to a plurality ofv remote points.

The pressure fluid reaches the openings E5 from the cylinder iii by way of a selector mechanism comprising a hollow piston 2! having a tubular stem 22 communicating with the piston 2| and supported within cylinder it with a loose fit. Fluid admitted to cylinder it accordingly flows through the tubular stern 22 to the piston 2|, from whence it may escape through an opening 23 radially offset from the axis of the piston and underlying the circular series of openings i5.

The mounting of the piston 2| is such as to provide ior freedom of axial and rotary movements thereof with respect to the stationary parts of the device including plates H3 and I l and cylinder l. Axial extension of the piston toward plate l l is accor lplished by the pressure and velocity of the iiuid entering through cylinder It, such extension being limited by engagement of the piston with the underside of plate ll where opening 23 may register and communicate with an opening l5. Axial retraction of the piston, eiected by gravity or other suitable means, occurs upon closing of the valve i8 shutting oii the supply of pressure uid.

During each upward and downward movement of the piston, a rotary indexing of the piston takes place so that outlet opening 23 may be conimunicated successively with the distributor open ings l5. The apparatus for performing this function includes a plurality ol cam lob-es formed integrally with or otherwis-e secured to the underside of plate l l. The several cam lobes 24 are spaced from one another in a circular' arrangement surrounding the series of openings l5. Each lobe presents a sloping edge 25 and the several lobes are in series with the low point of one lobe in adjacent relation to the high'point of the next succeeding lobe. By reason of the spaced relation of the lobes there occurs between the described adjoining surfaces of adjacent lobes a space or slot 2B the bottom of which is defined by plate il.

Cooperating with the cam lobes 24 is one or more, in the present instance two, follower devices on the piston 2l in the form of radially projecting pins 2l. The follower pins 2l' are diametrically opposed on the Ypiston 2l, and, during extension of the piston, engage a diametrically opposed pair of lobes 2li. In response to continued axial thrust of the piston under fluid pressure the pins 2l ride down the surfaces 25 on the lobes 24, imparting a rotary twist to the piston, until the pins enter slots 23 at which time the piston is pressed against the plate il. The construction and arrangement of parts, it will be understood, is such that upon the arrival of pins 2l in slots 26 the outlet opening 23 has been brought into registry with an opening l in plate il.

Through similar apparatus a supplemental component of rotary motion is imparted to the piston 2l during,` the retracting stroke in order that the pins 2l may be moved from the slots 2li to cooperative relation with the next succeeding pair of cani lobes 24. Such similar apparatus includes a set of cam lobes 2S on the upper surface of plate il! constructed and arranged like the lobes 2li but rotated forty-live degrees (45) relative thereto and providing for a shorter length of travel of follower devices thereon. Such follower devices are represented by diametrically op posed radial pins 29 set in a ring 3l secured to the lower end of a sleeve 32. The sleeve 32 is in spaced surrounding relation to the cylinder i3 with the upper end thereof secured to the piston '2l through a press nt upon a collar V33 in turn having a press lit upon the tubular stem 22.

The lower set of cam lobes 2S present upwardly facing slop-ing surfaces 34 and define intermediate slots 35. The arrangement of the cam lobes 28 and location of coacting pins 29 is `complementary to the arrangement and location of the cam lobes 2t and pins 2l. Thus, while the pins 21 are traveling along the slopes 25 of cam lobes 2li, the pins 2Q are being elevated and turned out of registry with the slots 35 linto overlying relation to a next succeeding pair of cam lobes 23. Similarly, while the pins 29 are traveling over the slopes 34 of cam lobes 28, the pins 2l are being lowered and turned out of registry with the slots 25 to underlying relation with the next succeeding pair of cam lobes 24.

Merely as an example the illustrated embodiment of the invention is usable as a control device to direct water successively to remotely located lawn sprinklers. There are, in this instance, four openings l5, each connected to a diierent sprinkler, and a corresponding number of cam lobes 24 and cam lobes 28. The parts normally occupy substantially the positions shown in Fig. :2, wherein the valve i8 is closed to shut off the water pressure from the device, being understood that the pipe Il leads from the household water supply system wherein pressures of twenty-five to sixty pounds ordinarily prei. It will be further understood that the device ncrmally stands in an upright position in which the piston assembly is retracted by force of gravity. As so positioned, the piston assembly, which is relatively heavy, is in a lowermost position which may be defined by engagement or the collar with the top of cylinder lli or by engagement oi" ring 3| with the plate I8, or by other means. pins 23 are at this time in slots 35 between lobes 23 while pins 2l are in underlying relation to a pair of cain lobes 2li. Outlet opening il@ this time occupies a position intermediate the axes of an adjacent pair of the openings i5.

Now, if valve Ill is turned on or opened, water under pressure iiows into cylinder i6 and upward into piston '2l causing the piston and its assembly including stem 22, sleeve 32 and ring 3i to rise or be extended toward plate Il. In the course of such movement, follower pins 2l engage the slopes 25 on the overlying cam lobes 2li and at the same time pins 29 on ring 8l rise out of slots 35 in position to clear the lobes 23. Continued motion of the piston assembly under the applied water pressure will, therefore, be a coinpound movement including an axial component and a rotary component. Both motions will end when the piston 2l reaches plate ll, the 2l having by this time dropped into slots 25 and the pins 29 having moved to a position overlying a pair of cam lobes 28. Arrival of the parts in this position coincides with arrival of the outlet opening 23 atan opening l5. The pipe line il' is accordingly connected through the piston 2! and opening 23 to one of the openings i5 and thereby to one of the remotely located sprinklers. As long as th-e valve i8 remains open, admitting water under pressure to piston 2l the parts will main-- tain the positions described.

Upon closing of valve i8, however, the pressure sustaining piston 2l in extended position is cut off and the piston is retracted under the iniiuence of gravity. In the initial part of this movement, the pins 21 descend out of slots 25 and pins 29 engage cam lobes 28. As retracting motion continues, the pins 29 ride down the slopes 34 on lobes 28 into slots 35 effecting there by a further rotation of the piston assembly, bringing the pins 2'? into position for cooperative relation with the next succeeding pair of cam lobes 24. The parts are so conditioned for another oper-ation in which opening of the valve i8 will cause the outlet opening 23 to be connected to the next succeeding opening I5. In each cycle of valve adjustment, including a closing and opening thereof, there takes place, therefore, a rotary indexing of piston 2| whereby the pressure iiuid,

VWater supply'system is disconnected from one sprinkler and connected to another, the several sprinklers being` connected to the system individually and in a predetermined order.

In order to avoid Wastage of Water in the interval after opening of valve i8 andbefore contact of piston 2i with plate I I, there` may be ,arranged in the opening- 23 a check valve, for example as shown Figs. 6 and 7. vAs there illustrated, a piston Eta presents an opening 23a. Within the opening 23a is a cylindrical perforate body 36 having flanges 3l and 38 V.attached to the vends thereof respectively outside and inside the piston 2id. The tubular body opens through the flange 37 to the exterior of the piston. A spring 39 urges the body 36 outward to engage flange 38 with the internal piston wall and thereby prevent the escape of fluid from piston 2| a. This is the position shown in Fig. 7.Y Outer ange 31 is engageable With the plate I I during extension of the piston to move body 36 inward to the position of Fig. 6 where flow through the body and therefore through opening 23a is permitted.

With regard' to the action of the piston assembly, it will be understood that the piston 2| and cylinder It, as well as pipe I1 beyond valve Iii, will normally be nlled With Water. The small amount of Water which must be displaced for retraction of the assembly can flow out of opening 23 into the area enclosed by housing I3. In the event opening 23 is closed by a check valve, as in Figs. 6 and 7, the displaced water can escape around the loosely fitting stem 22 over the top of cylinder It. No back pressure can be built up within the housing I3 since this area is in eiect connected to atmosphere by the several openings I5. f desired, the interior of the housing could be connected to a suitable place of drain.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particulary features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modiiication in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts Without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specic features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into eiect. A

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. in a pressure fluid operated indexing valve, a hollow piston including spaced walls and a tubular stem, means for mounting said piston in a vertical position for freedom of axial and rotary movements, means for admitting pressure iiuid to said piston through said tubular stem to eiect an axial extending motion of said piston, said piston being retracted from extended position by gravity in responseto shutting off of the cam means utilizing the reciprocatory axial motion of said piston to effect rotary step by step adjustment thereof, a pressure fluid outlet in one of said Walls of said piston parallel to but radially offset from saidtubular stem and moved to successively different circumferential positions in response to the step by step indexing of said piston, and a distribution head presenting a circular series of openings, the outlet in said piston being in exclusive communication with a different opening in said series of openings in each different circumferential position thereof.

2. In a pressure fluid operated indexing valve, a housing including spaced apart interconnected mounting plates, one of said plates having one longitudinal opening therein and the other plate having a circular series of longitudinal openings, a cylinder fixed in the longitudinal opening in said one plate and extending toward said other plate, a piston' assembly including a piston and a tubular stem therefor received by said cylinder with freedom of relative axial and rotary movements, means for admitting pressure fluid through said cylinder and tubular stem to said piston to extend said piston assembly, the extension of said assembly being limited by engagement of said piston with said other plate, said piston assembly being retracted in response to the shutting oit of pressure fluid, an outlet opening in said piston radially offset from the axis of said piston to register selectively with openings in the series of openings in said other plate, and cam means utilizing the axial movements of said piston assembly to index said piston assembly in a rotary direction to effect successive registry of said outlet opening With the openings of said series of openings.

3. A pressure fluid operated indexing valve, including spaced apart interconnected mounting plates, one or' said plates having an axial opening therein and the other of said plates having a circular series of longitudinal openings, a cylinder xed in the axial opening in said one plate and extending toward said other plate, a piston assembly including a hollow piston between said plates, a tubular stem communicating with said piston and loosely received in said cylinder, and a sleeve in surrounding relation to said cylinder; means for admitting pressure fluid through said cylinder and tubular stem to said piston to extend said piston assembly, the extension of said assembly einig limited by engagement of said piston with said other plate, said piston assembly being retracted in response to the shutting oii' of pressure iiuid, a radially offset outlet opening in said piston registrable with individual openings in the circular series of openings in said other plate, and cooperating cam portions respectively on the sleeve of said piston assembly and said one plate and on said piston and said other plate constructed and arranged to eiect a rotary indexing of the piston assembly during each reciprocation thereof to bring said outlet opening successively into registry with the individual openings in said circularA series of openings.

4. A pressure fluid operated indexing valve according to claim 3, characterized in that said cam means includes a iirst set of cams on said other plate and cooperating portions on said piston to move said outlet opening into registry with an opening of said circular series of openings during extension of said piston assembly,

` and further includes a second set of cams on said one plate and cooperating portions on said sleeve operative during retracting movement of said piston to bring the portions on said piston into position for cooperative relation with said rst set of cams.

5. A pressure iiuid operated indexing valve, including spaced apart interconnected inner and outer plates, a piston supported'by one of said plates for axial reciproeatory motion toward `and from lthe other of said plates and for rotary movement relative thereto, means for admitting pressure iud to said piston for extension thereof, such extension being limited by said other plate, said piston being retracted in response to shutting o of the pressure fluid, an annular series of openings in said outer plate and an outlet opening in said piston to ibe brought into successive registry with said series of openings, a plurality of annularly spaced cam lobes on the underside oi said other plate, one or more follower devices on said piston to ride down aligned cam lobes during extension of said piston to positions intermediate `adjacent lobes corresponding to a position 4of registry of said outlet opening with one of said series `of openings, and a second series of similar cam lobes cooperative with said piston during retraction thereof .to turn said piston for alignment of said follower devices with successive cam lobes on .the other plate.

6. A pressure fluid operated indexing Valve according to claim 5, characterized in vthat the second said series of cam lobes is made operative with respect to the piston by cooperation of the piston and the iirst said Vset f cam lobes during the extension oi the piston, the construction and arrangement being such that said piston cornpletes one indexing .step in two components of motion occurring respectively during extension and retraction oi the piston.

1. In a pressure fluid operated indexing valve,

a housing including spaced apart inner and outer plates, said outer plate presenting a circular series of individual openings, a piston supported by said inner plate for extending and retracting motion toward and from said outer plate and for rotary motion relative thereto, said piston being extensible under the inuence of pressure fluid supplied thereto and retractible in response to the shutting off of such pressure iiuid, an outlet opening in said piston to be brought successively into registry with the individual openings of said series ci openings by a step by step rotary indexing of said piston, a normally closed check valve in said outlet opening arranged to be openedby Contact with said outer plate during extending motion of the piston, and cooperating cam 'portions on said housing and said piston imparting components of rotary motion to said piston during each extension and retraction thereof accomplishing in sum eiect one full indexing 'step of the piston.

EARL E. BERRY.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

